Each membership drive, WWOZ puts out a new CD with some of the best sounds of New Orleans and where we've been this year. CD #43, Anytime and Anywhere, is truly one of the finest we've put together yet, filled with rip-roaring music from local and national acts recorded live by WWOZ. This 9-song compilation includes songs from some of the coolest events we attended this year, including the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, North Mississippi Hill Country Picnic (live broadcast in June), Bayou Boogaloo (live broadcast in May), The Joy Theater, Snug Harbor, and more. As always, this CD is available only to new or renewing WWOZ members during the Fall 2015 Pledge Party who pledge at the $120 level or above.
The album kicks off with "Soul Food" from The Word, live from the Joy Theater last spring. This supergroup includes three members of the North Mississippi All-Stars, plus Robert Randolph and John Medeski.
The second track is from John Nemeth, "My Baby's Gone" live from the North Mississippi Hill Country Picnic, a wonderful blues festival that happens in the hills of Mississippi each summer. Next up is "Swampthang" from the New Orleans Suspects from the Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo in May. This one is a jam, clocking in at over nine minutes of straight New Orleans sounds. The Leroy Jones Quintet brings an extra touch of class with "Royal Garden Blues,' live from Basin Street Station for New Orleans Calling earlier this year. Bria Skonberg ups the sophistication with "Hotter Than That" from Snug Harbor.
Four songs from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and the North Mississippi Hill Country Picnic round out the CD. Snarky Puppy brings the funk with "Binky," from the 2015 Jazz Fest. WWOZ Jazz Tent. Reverend John Wilkins, a Como, Mississippi preacher and bluesman, takes on the traditional "You Got To Move" at the North Mississippi Hill Country Picnic. Malian Vieux Farka Toure brings some worldly flavor with "Lakkal" ("Watchout") from Jazz Fest 2015. One of the best bluesmen in the world today, Alvin Youngblood Hart, wraps it all up with "Watchin' Brian Jones."
Like the sounds of that? You can have this in YOUR hand simply by becoming a Guardian of the Groove with a $10 (or more) monthly donation to the station. You'll receive this CD, an 'OZ bumper sticker, and a membership card that gives you discounts at many local businesses.